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UCLA Claims Third Consecutive Final Four Berth
Love the answer to life, the universe and everything, including the Final Four. (AP Images)
As fun as it was while it lasted, Xavier's time as one of the nation's best basketball programs has come to an end. At least for now.
With a 76 to 57 victory, the UCLA Bruins did exactly what they had to do to earn their berth in this year's Final Four. It marks the third consecutive time the Bruins have made the appearance, but just the first time for freshman sensation Kevin Love.
Love, who had led the Bruins with 22.7 points per game in the first three games of the tournament, chipped in once again with 19 points.
On this night, UCLA also enjoyed stellar performance from guards Darren Collinson and Russell Westbrook who finished with 19 and 17 points respectively.
Bruins starting power forward Luc Richard Mbah A Moute added 13 points, 13 rebounds and five names to the winning effort.
In fact, the Bruins starting line up carried this team so well that not a single reserve scored for UCLA until the last seconds of the game when Chace Stanback connected on a three.
The Bruins took the lead in the first half and slowly built on it for the remainder of the game, leaving Xavier down 20 points with just under four minutes left in the game.
The Musketeers were at a disadvantage all game long as they struggled from both the field and behind the arc (36.2 and 21.5 percent respectively). The Bruins on the other hand enjoyed a field goal percentage of 53.8.
Leading the way for Xavier was sophomore guard Derrick Brown who put up 13 in the losing effort.
The Bruins easily covered the 5.5 spread.